TNAG-1377-FCO40-1825-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 179

CONFIDENTIAL

(c) TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY

[If it is

it is suggested that we should not legislate for an event 12 years in the future]

wrong

to

of A number

hon Members have suggested that it is legislate in this Bill for the termination of sovereignty which will not take place for another 12 years.

we

agree

to

China

on

1

However, it is absolutely necessary to legislate on this point before we ratify the agreement. In paragraph 2 of the Joint

Declaration

Republic of

restore

Hon Kong

July 1997. We

the

obligation

to

enter into force without securing

legislation needed

to

allow cannot

first

People's

that

the

the This is

to be agreement. An agreement which has been found to the people of Hong Kong and to this House.

to implement it.

core of the

acceptable

obligation to

carry

out

a

of

The Government cannot ratify the agreement, and thus create

formal international

the transfer

legislative

course would

authority, until Parliament has approved the

instrument

on

the transfer.

unconstitutional.

Any other

be

CONFIDENTIAL